Seeded Earth

ONE YEAR GOALS written October 29, 2007 ~ 43 days ago. How am I doing?

√ 1. Answer the question, “Why do I take photographs?” This is still a hard question, but here are some of my thoughts. 1) Just for the fun of it. I love the “highs” I experience when working creatively and I’m good at enjoying the process if not always the product. (Standard artist creed, that process/product theory, though I do happen to believe it.) 2) The challenge. I want to develop my photographic skills and to continue to develop my personal philosophy of photography. This takes hard work. 3) Fulfillment. I want to take photos that I can say, “I like that. I’m proud I took that photo.” 4) Purpose. Meeting expectations that I set for myself is good for me.

2. Re-read and then ‘practice’ the manual. I recently got a new camera, and I am reading the manual, taking notes, and practicing what I learn. I am doing this very slowly, however, so I hope I only need a year to reach this goal.

3. Post one photo a day on this blog. I have done this faithfully, though at times painfully when I wasn’t prepared with a photo I liked on at least some level. Since I began posting on October 5, 2007, I have posted 95 photos in 66 days. Looking at them all today, there are 32 that I would be okay with re-posting. I am learning to be prepared if nothing else.

4. Read three books about photography techniques. Research local and internet beginner’s photo classes and workshops. Take one in 2008. I’m still on my first book. I am reading Letting Go of the Camera by Brooks Jenson. I haven’t looked at any workshops, though I THINK about doing so. I do participate in some of the weekly challenges and study what other photographers are doing.

5. “Get to know” one fairly well-known photographer (life, techniques, philosophy, famous shots, etc.) Nope. Nothing on this yet. First I have to decide ‘who?’

And so… Goals are good. I can see more clearly where I started, where I am now, and where I’m going. Good information to have.